UPDATE 1:19 p.m.: The scene of Monday morning’s tractor-trailer fire in Roanoke has been completely cleared, allowing crews to reopen all lanes and shoulders of I-581 South.
Members of the Troutville Volunteer Fire Department say they helped Roanoke Fire-EMS extinguish the blaze by bringing a tanker — with its 3,000 gallon capacity — to the scene due to the tank size limitations on Roanoke’s fire trucks and the lack of hydrants in the area.
UPDATE 9:42 a.m.: Crews have reopened all southbound travel lanes along I-581 in Roanoke after a tractor-trailer fire broke out Monday morning.
However, VDOT says the southbound right shoulder is still closed at mile marker 3.1 on I-581, resulting in half a mile of delays.
UPDATE 8:22 a.m.: According to VDOT, only the southbound right lane and right shoulder are still closed on I-581 due to Monday morning’s tractor-trailer fire in Roanoke.
While VDOT is not reporting any delays resulting from the fire, the online traffic map is showing some slowdowns near mile marker 3.1 on I-581 South.
UPDATE 7:30 a.m.: VDOT says crews have reopened one travel lane along I-581 South after Monday morning’s tractor-trailer fire in Roanoke.
According to officials, the southbound center lane, right lane, and right shoulder are still closed at mile marker 3.1 on I-581.
Traffic is reportedly backed up for half a mile in Roanoke as crews continue to clean up the scene of th fire.
UPDATE 6:41 a.m.: According to VDOT, due to the tractor-trailer fire shutting down all three lanes of I-581 South in Roanoke, traffic is being detoured at exit 3W onto Hershberger Road Monday morning.
The department says southbound traffic on I-581 is currently backed up for half a mile.
UPDATE 5:34 a.m.: Roanoke Fire-EMS shared additional details about the tractor-trailer fire that has closed off I-581 South Monday morning.
According to the department, all southbound lanes are closed between Hershberger Road and Valley View Boulevard as crews — including the regional hazmat team — clean up the scene of the fire, which is expected to take several hours.
Fire officials say the driver of the tractor-trailer escaped without injury.
VDOT urges motorists to seek alternate routes at this time.
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — Roanoke motorists can expect delays Monday morning because of a vehicle fire shutting down I-581 South near Valley View Mall.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) says that all southbound lanes are currently closed at mile marker 3.1 of I-81 because of the fire.
According to Roanoke Fire-EMS, the closure is located between Hershberger Road and Valley View.
Fire officials expect it to take several hours to clean up the scene of the fire, so motorists are asked to avoid the area.
WFXR News has a crew on the way to the scene at this time.
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